Good afternoon, A friend of mine who's wife wanted his friearms out of the house just sold me a Marlin model 39.22 S, L and LR for $100. He sold it to me because I am a shooter and a product designer for a local firearms manufacterer, but I am far from a expert on old firearms. It has an octagon barrel, has a case colored receiver and a takedown screw on the right side of the receiver.

The case colors are fading on the right side, but the left side is beautiful. The barrel retains musch of it's original bluing, but has spots of light rust with no pitting. The mag tube is the same.

The bore is shiny and rifling is strong. The wood has dings and scratches but no cracks. The screw on the left side of the forend cap is missing. The remaining screw heads aren't buggered up. It does not have a 'star' on the tang, which I was told is a symbol of higher quality rifles.

Dates of Manufacture* for: Early Marlin Lever Action Rifles. Our database contains values of serial numbers through 355,300 which ended the year 1906. These dates should be considered approximate only. Enter the serial number of your Marlin lever action rifle in the box below: Buy now! Marlin Firearms* by William. Dec 15, 2010 Anyone have an idea of a year of manufacture on a Marlin 336. Marlin 336 date of manufacture [Re. With a serial number of 231176**, my date of manufacture.

Overall, I guess I'd rate it about 60%. I have a couple of questions if you don't mind.

First is date of manufacture - serial number is 16XX. I thought these were made from 1922-1938, but I can't find serial number dates anywhere.

Second is value - was this any kind of a bargain? Third is if I clean the rust up with Flitz, will that affect value, or should I just wipe her down with some Kroil? Do you know where I might be able to find an original screw for the forend cap? Lastly, is this only safe with standard velocity ammo?

It's a neat little rifle and a great piece of old world craftsmanship. It will make a nice addition to my collection.

Thanks for your time and have an excellent weekend. Your insight and knowledge is greatly appreciated.

Update on Marlin Model 39 Chalk this up to good luck and being in the right place at the right time. After viewing the posts about this rifle, I went out to the bookstore and purchased The Blue Book of Gun Values Twenty Ninth Edition. I let my neighbor know the tru value, which at 60% is at $1300. He told me he didn't care what it was worth (same with the Winchester 1892 I posted about), he just wanted them out of the house so his wife would stay off his back about them.

We're not great friends, but we've been neighbors for the past 4 years and have helped each other out with home improvements, borrowing tools, the occasional party, etc. He's a good guy, but his wife is. Shall we say. Difficult at times. I drive by their house whenever I leave mine as they are the last house on our dirt road. And since last year, I have had to close my eyes for fear of puking at the Hillary '08 sign she proudly sports at the end of the driveway. So that explains the gun attitude she has.

If you believe in Karma, then this is my payment for all those early mornings seeing that sign planted out front on my way to work. Thankfully, it's not going to be there for much longer. I'm gonna grill him a nice T-bone and get him a case of Sam Adams. Only veggies and wine for her though. Are you surprised?? Thanks again for all your help, advice and info. I'm definitely keeping this Marlin, although the 1892 I may part with.

Ivory Front Sight? Dragon Burn Serial Mac Lookup. The front sight on this model 39 has what looked like white plastic. On another thread I was told it's probably ivory becuase the rifle is 1922 production. Is there any way to tell the difference?

I just wanted to say thanks again for all your help, knowledge and insight. You have been corresponding with a guy who is a modern firearms enthusiast, and the most valuable piece in my safe was a S/A M1A Scout/Squad. These two purchases are now the centerpieces of my collection. I seriously doubt I'll have another find like these in my lifetime, but now I will keep my eyes and ears extra open just in case.

I have no doubt it's ivory if the entire sight looks to be original. Here's a nice gun advertised with an ivory bead. 'Lot #464 - Marlin - Model 39 - High Grade lever action takedown rifle -.22 S,L,LR; 24” oct. Barrel - Condition is excellent plus. - 98-99% blue on barrel & excellent case color on frame & lever.